The verdict in three sentences
Custom site management software costs EUR 45,000 to 120,000 in 2026, versus EUR 30 to 80/user/month for construction SaaS. The real gain is measured in site margin points: real-time tracking of time and purchasing adds +3 to +6 points. The field mobile app is essential, with a 5 to 8 month timeline and a 15 %/year maintenance fee.
The scope to demand in the quote
A good 2026 quote prices each block. Here is the expected scope and its budget weight.
| Module | Role | Budget weight |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-site planning | Resource overview | 20 % |
| Field mobile time entry | Real hours per site | 20 % |
| Purchasing & suppliers | Committed costs | 20 % |
| Real-time site margin | Live profitability | 15 % |
| Quotes & progress billing | Milestone invoicing | 15 % |
| Photos & site reports | Traceability, disputes | 10 % |
The mobile time entry + purchasing pairing is the core: without it, site margin stays an end-of-month estimate instead of a daily, steerable indicator.
Custom or construction SaaS
For a 40-person SME with 30 in the field, here is the 2026 order of magnitude over five years.
| Item (40 users) | Construction SaaS | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Build / configuration | EUR 5,000 | EUR 80,000 |
| Annual subscription | EUR 24,000 (50 x 40) | EUR 0 |
| Maintenance / year | included | EUR 12,000 (15 %) |
| Hosting / year | included | EUR 2,400 |
| Cost over 5 years | EUR 125,000 | EUR 137,600 |
| Offline field app | limited | tailored |
| Fit to trades | low | full |
At 40 users the two options converge over five years, but custom brings a field app suited to site reality (offline mode, quick entry) and margin indicators specific to the company.
Mini case study
Mark, owner of a 40-person structural works SME in Toronto, runs EUR 8 million of annual site revenue at a 9 % average margin. Real-time tracking of time and purchasing gains him 4 margin points on the tightest sites, about +3.5 weighted points on half his volume. That is EUR 140,000 of extra margin a year. An EUR 80,000 tool pays back in under a year on the margin gain alone.
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FAQ
Does the mobile app work without network on site?
Yes, an offline mode is essential: time entries and reports sync as soon as connectivity returns, something a generic SaaS handles poorly.
How is real-time site margin calculated?
By cross-referencing valued logged hours, committed purchases and billed progress, the tool shows each site's margin to date, without waiting for accounting close.
What is the go-live timeline?
5 to 8 months in 2026; a planning + mobile time entry core can deploy in 3 months to equip field teams quickly.
Can we connect accounting and payroll?
Yes, exports or connectors to your accounting and payroll software are planned, removing hours re-entry.
Is custom worth it under 40 staff?
Below 20-25 users, construction SaaS is often cheaper; beyond that, the margin gain and tailored app tip toward custom development.
Let's scope your project. Give us your field headcount, your annual site revenue and your 3 margin-loss areas, and we will price a planning + time entry core with an indicative budget. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
